Sister city delegation heads to Russia

Five local leaders headed to Russia on Friday to celebrate Portland's 25 year-long relationship with the city of Arkhangelsk.

They will participate in a series of meetings, celebratory events and school visits.

The delegation consists of Portland City Councilor Ed Suslovic, Westbrook City Councilor Mike Foley, Arkhangelsk committee vice chair Carol Lord and Phil Spiller Jr., who father established the sister-city relationship in 1989.

Spiller said the trip is even more important today because of tensions between the U.S. and Russia following the Russian annexation of Crimea.

"And we like to think even though it's challenging at this time that we might be also be with this small token and small diplomatic mission be influencing in a positive light in any small way possible, international relations," he said.

The last time a delegation from Greater Portland traveled to the Russian sister city was in 2012.

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